From Spaces to Minds
New Zealand’s eating disorder recovery facilities urgently require architectural reform, as spatial and design inefficiencies continue to compromise patient well-being. With rising hospital admissions and prolonged delays in specialist care, the current built environments reinforce stigma and isolation, obstructing effective treatment (Wilson, 2022). This thesis explores how architecture can positively impact recovery by reshaping spaces to support dignity, mental health, and therapeutic healing. Drawing on successful international models and integrating ‘homely’ elements, this study highlights how familiar, comforting environments can reduce stigma and enhance recovery outcomes. In examining the link between recovery and design, this thesis seeks to answer: How can we utilise architecture to successfully integrate a specialist eating disorder recovery facility into our community?
